Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-10-08
THE wILiCzA SALT MINES.
An Interesting Description Of y Won
derful Place Near CracOSvs

Washington lady has received from her sister,
now travelling In Europe, the following graphic
account OF Q visit TO the noted salt mines at
WilicZa, near Cracow:
"After o comfortable days journey from MOSCOW
we arrived In this Old Polish city Of cracow, sit
uated on the Vistuia. There are many places OF
interest here to the VISITOR Of which u the Old
catnedral, rounded by King Cassirnif. 1t contains
the graves Of John Sobieski, Poniatowski, Kos.
ciusko. &C., also Thorwaldsens statue OF Christ.
Inc Wilicza salt mines which have been worked
TOR 800 years ana are wonderfully grand IN ap-
pearance, are miles distant from the city. we
o1ove 10 them through most oeautiMl
and many y'' queer s and interesting sights
Arriving at the mines, we put on long wra2s
cage-like elevator 9 500 D feet S below. There We
were met and escorted by guides bearing lights 70
wnas seemed to be SANCTUARY the root OF wnicn
end was an altar, brilliantly iented with candles
ana surrounded with statuary, life size carved en-
where only this salt rocf-a sray-looking granite
IKE substance, and somewhat moist. After walk
OF perhaps ten minutes we came to q sudden stop
open disclosing so'onr view an IMMENSE ballroom
with beautifully smooth floor OF wood. At the
and Ssaa sessn Ry
Az Dewtidered with this scene so far underground.
n aag ABOVE our heads the SAT- roof sparkled1
hung about twenty immense Chandelier
containing thousands Of bright Lights. At one end
OF This hall was an Illuminated picture initiating
stained glass IN q most perfect way. The music
was SO eniivening that one after another OF our
party found themselves upon the floor dancing.
Ihe band stopped playing and disappeared. We
or halls-the band always preceding Us, playing
aS we entered, but being never again visible to US
Words can give no correct idea OF the grandeur
OF this place, and the peculiar sensations 1t
awakened. We were next led through q long,
dark passage-way, which brought us 70 the lake,
where we stood spell bound, gazing In wonder
upon the beautiful water. Coiored nghts were
the Dand hidden from view, playing some very sad,
plaintive melody in slow and mournful strains, TO
the rhythm OF which we found ourselves moving
bodily and suitably "over to the other shore" With
out noticing 1t the platform upon which we were
standing was being drawn by soma Invisible means
through this beautiful lake to the opposite side.
Such scene and surroundings, creating such I'm
pressions can come to Us but once in q lifetime,
and many were deeply affected BY IT, 50 that un.
TO express in any satisfactory way what we saw
and experienced in this trip. Not word was
spoken while the plaintive music echoed again and
again through these long halls and passageWaya,
until we had reached the steps OF the upper land
Ing. when we could hear 1t no more. We reeDtered
the elevator, to rise to the upper realms again,
feeling we Tad the fun value OF what at first
seemed very high charge for the trip: We then
ube, which is worthy Of all that Is said and writ
ten about It.. Opposite the hotel stands the OLD
cathedral, in the tower OF which lives q man who,
every hour, day and night tells the hour with
Dugle call. 1t Is quaint and beautiful Old GUS
tom, continued In some parts Of Russia"